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| Shaping our future: AmaJimbos coach Molefi Ntseki |
OVER the next five days, I hope to find out if South African
football has a future. I’m pretty sure it has. And it’s brighter than we think.
I leave for Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, tomorrow
afternoon with Bafana Bafana’s Under 17 squad…. the AMAJIMBOS.
On Friday, at 3pm South African time, the lads face Tanzania in
the away leg of their 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier at the
7,000-capacity Azam Stadium.
Having just watch a fascinating World Cup in Brazil devoid of our
senior men’s squad – Gordon Igesund’s qualifying failure has been well
documented around these parts – there is a general feeling of pessimism in
South African football with the PSL and SAFA apparently unable to produce
competitive national teams as they bang their heads together.
But given their preparation for the Tanzania qualifier, the Under
17s appear ready to defy this hopelessness and I hope to be able to bring to my
readers a taste of our future stars as I work with Dominic Chimhavi, the SAFA
Head of Communications, and team manager Barney Kujane,
The AmaJimbos’ preparation has been impeccable thus far. First
came two friendlies against Botswana – won 2-0 and 4-0 – followed by last week’s
trip to Lesotho, where the youngsters chalked up 2-0 and 1-0 wins. That’s four
wins, nine goals scored, NONE conceded. Not bad for a country with no
footballing future.
Under 17 coach Molefi Ntseki says: “The preparatory tour was a big
success for us. I believe all the traveling has really helped us to prepare
thoroughly for Tanzania.
“I am confident that going to Dar Es Salaam we will keep the same
spirit that prevailed over the last two weeks, as well as the mental strength.
We have become one big happy family.
"The AmaJimbos are starting to show
understanding of what is expected of them and also the demands of the game at
international level.”
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| The future right here: The AmaJimbos squad |
The only new addition to the 18-man squad is Liam Jordan of
Bidvest Wits who was unable to join the squad in Botswana and Lesotho. Jordan
is the son of the late Bafana striker Keryn and has impressed Wits no-nonsense
boss Gavin Hunt since he returned to South Africa from New Zealand, where his
father ended his goal-laden career. Liam was named Player of the Tournament at
the Under 17 South African Championship in April, where Wits beat Chiefs in the
final.
Sanele Tshabalala, the young Kaizer Chiefs stopper, was voted best
goalkeeper at that tournament in Soweto while Vuyo Mkatshana from Wits scored
against Lesotho last weekend. Captain Nelson Maluleka from SuperSport scored
three in two games on the tour of Botswana.
The full AmaJimbos squad features SIX players from SuperSport
United’s academy and just one from PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Soweto
giants Kaizer Chiefs:
GOALKEEPERS: Mondli MPOTO (SuperSport Academy); Sanele TSHABALALA
(Kaizer Chiefs Academy).
DEFENDERS: Simon NQOI (SuperSport Academy); Samuel NKOMO (Gauteng
Province); Notha Nature NGCOBO (Mamelodi
Sundowns Academy); Keanu Gregory CUPIDO (Diambars Academy); Thendo MUKUMELA (Limpopo
Province); Katlego MOHAMME (SuperSport Academy); Tshepiso MAHLANGU (SuperSport
Academy).
MIDFIELDERS: Athenkosi DLALA (SuperSport Academy); Sibongakonke
Ntuthuko MBATHA (School of Excellence); Nelson MALULEKE (SuperSport Academy); Liam
JORDAN (Bidvest Wits); Felix NOGE (Harmony Academy); Vuyo Junior MANTJIE (Harmony
Academy).
STRIKERS: Luvuyo Katlego MKATSHANA (Bidvest Wits Academy); Khanyiso
MAYO (Eastern Cape Province); Edwin SEKHWAMA (School of Excellence).
SOCCERBALLZ! my innovative football show on www.ballz.co.za with Mark Fish airs every Thursday from 9am-11am. See Ballz' channel for our growing library of fascinating football interviews with the big names. Ballz will also provide daily World Cup updates from next week.
You can also follow me on www.twitter.com/nealcol for all the latest sports news and read my “Neal and Pray” column every Tuesday in www.thenewage.co.za.
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